Jueves

Hola!

Today we had a less glamorous but equally difficult job of digging a trench.  I used a pick axe to loosen soil and clay while others removed the dirt.  I was expecting all of our field work to be difficult but I am still surprised by how exhausting it is.  Knowing how much we are helping the communities and families and being able to interact with the families makes all the tedious, hard work worth it.

Last night we visited Casa del Migrante, a temporary home for migrants.  It was amazing to hear the stories of the migrants.  Some had just been deported, some were trying to cross the border, and others were just traveling to other parts of Mexico.  It was such an eye-opening experience.  Our leader, Eduardo, also gave a talk about the border this morning.  I wish these stories could be shared throughout our country.  We learned that most Mexicans don't want to leave their country; they just want to make enough money in the States to lift their families out of poverty.  Many plan to return, but never do.  Many are deported to Mexico.  Many of those deported aren't even Mexican but are just assumed to be.  This causes problems for Mexico, too.

Tonight we had dinner at an Italian restaurant with Eduardo's and Roberto's families.  It was nice for all of us to sit down together after a week of hard work.

I can't believe tomorrow is our last day!  We are pouring cement for a floor on a house we worked on earlier this week.  After work, we are having a fiesta to celebrate the end of our week and the birthday of a boy who will live in the new home.  Today, we picked out a piñata for him.

Buenas noches,
Sarah